Is it really New Years Eve already? One Day until the new year.....2017.....I still can't wrap my mind around it! Truly this year has flown by. Two semesters of college have gone by, I am now a Senior in college, I turned 21, met so many new people, learned so much about myself, challenged my comfort zone, stretched beyond my limits, did CRAZY things, spoke out about topics I believe in, and so much more.......and that's just in my personal life!

As for my blog, I can't even believe how much my blog has grown, how Minnie Muse has truly become another part of me, and how I have learned so much more about blogging in general and grown in doing what I love. Not to mention the number of AMAZING bloggers and people I have met through the "blogsphere," whether they be fellow bloggers whom I have grown to respect, look to for inspiration, and talk to outside of our friendly comments on each others posts, or lovely friends on Instagram who have shared such sweet words with me or shared a common interest with something I love. You guys are the BEST! It has also been a great year for Minnie Muse in starting to work with new brands and companies on reviews and style collaborations! I love connecting with brands in learning about them, and working with their team members to bring their products to you lovely readers. I can't wait to see what the new year has in store for the growth of the blog!

However, on a deeper note.......I must say that in contemplating the past 12 months I cant help but think of the chapters and stories that I have flipped through, because I have always looked at life as a series of books. A series by which we start and finish books in different seasons of our life and in which we are characters in a story who go through many chapters in the course of a year, and learn so many things. Thus, as this year quickly draws to a close I can't help but reflect back on all the chapters that I have ventured through this year, the many journeys I have taken, lessons I have learned, and important characters I have met. While life isn't always perfect and while some years are just flat out dreadful, I think it is important to remember that while things might not always be how we want them to be, those things happen because they are important to the BIGGER story. Just think.... if you were to skip 3-4 chapters in a book you would find that you would be surrounded by new characters whom you know nothing about and become surrounded by things and situations that seem foreign to you. With that being said, each chapter is important to the story because they all build upon each other, teaching us valuable lessons for our future. So while there might be some weeks, or months, or series of months, or even an entire year that we wish to forget, I think it is important to reflect on the lessons that certain challenges, chapters, or characters might and have taught us.

Thus, as the hours to the new year tick away I hope you take a minute to remember both the good and the bad that this year has imparted on your life and be thankful that even though there are negative things in life there are also blessings that come too! However, while I hope that 2016 has been one with new journeys and adventures for you, but most importantly I hope that 2017 is even better!

I look forward to everything that 2017 has in store for me as well as Minnie Muse and I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to each and every one of you who stops by my blog to scroll through my page, read my posts, follow me on social media or leave sweet comments that always brighten my day! It is truly because of the supportive community created through the "blogsphere" that I have found such a special place to share what I love and belong!

This Christmas season truly has FLOWN by, just like it sadly does every year; but alas even in its ending it still holds many memories and continuations of past traditions that as always make it my FAVORITE time of the year!

I have tried to savor every moment of this season by capturing it in pictures, baking cookies, throwing parties, wearing Christmas sweaters & all the red I can get my hands on, sitting by the fire, sipping cocoa, watching MANY Hallmark Christmas movies, staring at sparkling lights, wrapping presents in pretty paper, eating more sweets than I care to admit, and humming (more often singing) along to my favorite carols and Christmas songs.

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family. Our biggest Christmas celebration is always on Christmas Eve with my Dad's side of the family. This year we did something a little different.....instead of our typical Christmas dinner we had a HUGE breakfast spread for dinner! My Paw Paw's (my dad's dad who is 97) favorite meal is breakfast so we decided to serve that this Christmas Eve. With that, we all decided to wear matching pajamas by family since we were eating breakfast, which was extra fun and comfortable. After we ate, we opened gifts, played white elephant, and then went on to play our traditional Bingo game on all the retro bingo cards we have collected over the years.

Christmas day we drove home to have our own family Christmas and then we headed out later that evening to drive down to Galveston to stay with my Grandparents in a condo for a few days. After that we will then head home for a day and then it is off to camp at our family farm for New Years.

I know the rest of this month will fly by, so I am trying to soak in the last bit of 2016 and the December season. However, I have decided that I might just drag out Christmas for a few more days in January.....

How was your Christmas?What was your favorite memory from Christmas?-Madison

As a blogger, if you asked me one thing I was sad about this season, I would have said it was the lack of "Christmasy" locations to shoot at for the blog, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered that our darling town had a giant Christmas tree over by the old train depot! Of course I knew that I had to take pictures there, so on Monday I packed up my gear, bundled up for the chilly Texas winter, and headed out to take pictures in front of the Christmas tree!

I have always had a love for GIANT Christmas trees and get giddy whenever I see one this time of the year. Christmas trees are such a huge part of my Christmas experience (and one of my favorite things at Christmas) so a giant one is just 100x's better! Plus, when your town puts up a Christmas tree and has every business on main street decorate their own light pole in a unique way it just goes to show that they LOVE Christmas as much as I do:)

With Christmas time comes colder weather in Texas, which means some days it could be in the 30's and other days it could be in the 70's. Texas really is a bipolar state when it comes to weather. Therefore, this past Monday when it was windy and frigidly chilly outside I chose to add tights and leg warmers with my FAVORITE Hannah Everly skirt because Polka dots are so festive to me, and this skirt is perfect for every occasion.....especially Christmas! And since Christmas is right around the corner I am all about the Christmas accessories like this Santa broach I borrowed from my mom and these new gold wrapping bow earrings paired with a red sweater, scarf, and a winter jacket of course.

About Me

Hello all! My name is Madison and welcome to Minnie Muse, a vintage inspired fashion and lifestyle blog. I am an old fashioned Texas girl and INFJ who loves coffee, thrifting, all things old fashioned, and cats (especially). On the blog you will find me capturing life's moments, going on adventures and sharing my personality through fashion and words. Welcome to this grand adventure; I hope you stick around for the journey!

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DISCLAIMER

If I have received an item or piece from a brand or company I will note the collaboration and give my honest opinion. Also, when linking to various products I will sometimes use affiliate links. This just means that if you click on a link or make a purchase through one I could receive a few cents from the purchase or click. Thank you for supporting Minnie Muse & what I love!